AB 6 the CalF-R-E-S-H Act of 2011: Finding Resources and Eliminating Significant Hurdles

The CalFRESH Act of 2011 seeks to increase access to and participation in CalFresh by removing barriers and simplifying the application process, while simultaneously implementing cost saving efforts. About 50% of eligible Californians do not participate in the program, ranking California second to last among states on measures of program participation. Increasing participation levels to near 100% of eligible households. as other states have done, could mean an additional $4.9 billion in federal benefits for needy Californians. Moreover, increasing participation has the potential to benefit all Californians through the more than $8.7 billion in economic activity associated with these lost federal benefits.